A campaign which started in 2005 to block the development of an old Asbestos factory into a residential estate has been successfull thanks to the residents and campaigners of Spodden Valley, Rochdale. Unionsafety readers will recall the article by Jason Morley, Assistant Secretary of the NW H&S Co-ord at the time, when he first brought the 'Save Spodden Valley Campaign' to the attention of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord website. The NW BTU H&S Co-ord had first been contacted by Jason Addy one of the co-ordinators of the campaign whose Grandfather had died from asbestos related illness as a result of working at the asbestos factory and being exposed to levels of asbestos which at the time were denied to be a health risk. Derek Maylor, Chair of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord recalled the beginnings of the campaign and told Unionsafety: "Jason Addy attended our NW Safety Co-ord, then the NW Safety Forum, to get our support which of course we did. We easily gained CWU national support, resulting in CWU's Dave Joyce taking the issue to the TUC. Groups such as Save Spodden Valley are immensely important in the welfare of ordinary people. Jason and his friends refused to be bullied by a huge corporation and their work, steadfastness and commitment are inspirational to the rest of us. We congratulate them all." Writing further to Jason directly on behalf of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord, Derek said, " I’ve looked at my asbestos files (with a sub folder “Spodden”) and the first e-mail I received from you was as long ago 3 March 2005 - at 11.43 to be precise. You then spoke to a CWU meeting in Preston, then Blackpool and so on. Derek wrote to his MP at the time in support of the campaign. You can read details of his letter as reported on this website here Jason Addy, co-ordinator of the Save Spodden Valley campaign, commenting on the decision by Rochdale Council to refuse the 6yr old planning application for over 600 homes on the former Turner Brothers Asbestos site: “This is very welcome news that has significance far beyond Rochdale. The sound of those chainsaws destroying the woodland around Turners at dawn on that Saturday morning in May 2004 seemed to wake our whole town up. Commenting on the campaign, Jason continued: “The past 6 and an half years have seen an incredible team effort from many people and organisations who have given their time freely to ensure that facts are known about the site so that safe decisions can be made. This is true testament to the spirit, persistence and tenacity of Rochdalians." Jason concluded with a warning for the future: "This planning rejection isn't the end but it is a very important milestone. There is now an opportunity for a “Community Plan B” without Rochdale Council being shackled by this ridiculous planning application that has festered for far too long. There are many unresolved questions to be answered but hopefully the people of Rochdale will now be treated with more respect. Too many souls have been lost to asbestos disease as a result of past products and decisions made in the Spodden Valley. The Spodden Valley has paid a bitter price to society. Like its victims, it is time to let the Turners site rest in peace as a safe “green lung” for future generations”. See BBC North West Tonight interview with Jason Addy by clicking on his pic (opens your default video player on your pc) Source: Jason Addy / Save Spodden Valley / Derek Maylor
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